| Rock n Roll Jesus | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | Kid Rock |
| Cover: | Rock and roll jesus.jpg |
| Released: | October 9, 2007 |
| Studio: | The Allen Roadhouse |
| Genre: |
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| Length: | 57:07 |
| Producer: |
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| Prev Title: | Live Trucker |
| Prev Year: | 2006 |
| Next Title: | Born Free |
| Next Year: | 2010 |
Rock n Roll Jesus is the seventh studio album by Kid Rock, released on October 9, 2007. Rob Cavallo co-produced the album with Rock.[1] The album was not available at the iTunes Store in an act of protest by Kid Rock regarding a royalties dispute.[2] It was nominated for two Grammy Awards for Best Rock Album and Best Male Vocal Performance for "All Summer Long" at the 2009 Grammy Awards. "All Summer Long" from the album was named the official theme song for WWE Backlash 2008 as well as "So Hott" for WrestleMania XXV and "New Orleans" for WrestleMania 34.[3]
The album features the vocals of golfer John Daly on "Half Your Age" and the rock hit "All Summer Long" which has brought the album to triple platinum status in the U.S. and in Canada. "Sugar" is the only song on the album that features rapping vocals. This would be the last album that Rock raps on until 2017's Sweet Southern Sugar.
The album's first two singles, "So Hott" and "Amen", both did relatively well on the Mainstream Rock and Modern Rock charts. On the Mainstream Rock chart, the singles peaked at No. 2 and No. 11, respectively—the former one becoming the biggest rock hit of his career. The tracks peaked at No. 13 and No. 27, respectively, on the Modern Rock chart.
The album's third single, "All Summer Long", was a massive worldwide hit. It peaked at No. 23 on the Hot 100 chart, despite Rock boycotting iTunes and receiving minimum digital downloads, and No. 4 on the country chart. It went to number one on charts in eight countries across Europe and Australia. "Roll On" and "Rock n Roll Jesus" were released at the same time as follow ups to "All Summer Long". "Roll On" failed to chart in the U.S. but reached No. 59 in Germany and No. 67 in Austria. "Rock n Roll Jesus" peaked at No. 34 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart.
The album's sixth single, "Blue Jeans and a Rosary", was released in January 2009. It would peak at No. 50 on the U.S. Country Chart. "Lowlife (Living the Highlife)" was released as the album's seventh single on March 8, 2009.
Rock n Roll Jesus has received mixed reviews from critics. The album has a score of 63 on Metacritic, based on 12 reviews.[4] Rolling Stone gave the album 4 out of 5 stars, stating "His good-hearted faith in rock & roll delivers a powerful kick. As he well knows—and Rock N Roll Jesus proves—roaring guitars, truckloads of attitude and an unquenchable lust for life make up for a multitude of sins."[5] Billboard stated "We may be more entertained at times by Rock's extramusical affairs, but the "Devil" should still be given his due as a clever and creative musical force."[6] Allmusic was less enthusiastic, calling it "big, bold, and brainless" and stating, "splashy and silly though it may be, at least it gets the basic sound right, even if it's way too polished and precise."[7]
The album debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling about 172,000 copies in its first week.[8] It is Kid Rock's first and only album so far to top the Billboard 200. The album rebounded in March 2008 when "All Summer Long" was released as a single climbing back into the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 staying for 17 weeks. It has been certified 3 times platinum by the RIAA and it had sold 3,493,000 copies in the US as of December 2013.[9]
The album was certified 2 times platinum in Canada and gold in Germany, Austria and Australia.
| Chart (2007) | Position | |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[10] | 128 | |
| US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[11] | 21 |
| Chart (2008) | Position | |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[12] | 56 | |
| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[13] | 22 | |
| Canadian Albums (Billboard)[14] | 15 | |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[15] | 34 | |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[16] | 30 | |
| UK Albums (OCC)[17] | 146 | |
| US Billboard 200[18] | 6 | |
| US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[19] | 1 |
| Chart (2009) | Position | |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[20] | 45 | |
| US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[21] | 13 |